I made a really fun mug at the Get Fired Up pottery place with Grace a few weeks ago. I got my children to bed on time tonight, and decided to make some herbal tea using herbs from my garden. I went out with my pink clippers, barefoot in the wet grass, to snip some lemon balm, peppermint, chocolate mint, lavendar and stevia. I froze, mid-step, when I discovered bugs all over my fennel. I was horrified, and then fascinated. My beautiful fennel, feathery and copper colored, was gone. In its place were 14 caterpillars.

I did some research and learned they are tiger swallowtail catterpillars. I decided to leave the fennel and show the kids in the morning. I'm hoping my garden will survive until then, as it was twilight and the light was quickly fading. I think I should probably transplant the fennel to a separate location/pot in the morning. We've purposefully neglected science this month in the interest of barelling through our Colonial Plymouth studies. Look what landed in our laps! Or. . er. . .garden. :)